Riot Act

noun

1. an English statute of 1715 providing that if 12 or more persons assemble unlawfully and riotously, to the disturbance of the public peace, and refuse to disperse upon proclamation they shall be considered guilty of felony.

Riot Act

noun

1. criminal law (formerly in England) a statute of 1715 by which persons committing a riot had to disperse within an hour of the reading of the act by a magistrate
2. read the riot act to someone
   to warn or reprimand someone severely

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. read someone the riot act,
   1. to reprimand; censure:

      The principal read them the riot act for their behavior at the assembly.

   2. to give (someone) a sharp warning.

Example Sentences

“From the Insurrection Act to the Explosives Act to the Riot Act, they can be used to stop this anarchy,” the Republican Arkansas lawmaker told “Fox & Friends.”

From Fox News

The ensuing violence became known as Bloody Friday, with the crowds being beaten by police batons and the Riot Act being read for one of the last times.

From BBC

If Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to Riyadh to read the Riot Act to Saudi rulers over the apparent murder of Jamal Khashoggi, he hid it well behind cheery smiles and professions of amity.

From Washington Times

Hanningtone Gaya, chairman of the Media Owners Association of Kenya, attended the meeting on Friday, describing it as a “dressing down” at which media owners were “read the Riot Act,” according to Mr. Kaikai’s statement.

From New York Times

“They know they did the wrong thing. I read the Riot Act to them, their colleagues will all read the Riot Act to them,” Turnbull told Melbourne Radio 3AW.

From Seattle Times